Roque: No gov’t post offered yet; open to returning to Cabinet

Former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines – Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque admitted Monday that he was open to returning to the Duterte Cabinet after undergoing a heart procedure but added that President Rodrigo Duterte had not offered him anything yet.

Roque, who revealed on Friday that he underwent a cardiovascular rehabilitation, said his current priority was to take some rest. He did not elaborate on the medical procedure.

Roque served as Duterte’s spokesperson for almost a year before he resigned the post to run for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.

After his cardiac rehabilitation, the former Palace official said he would go back to law practice and to the academe.

He revealed that San Beda University has offered him to teach in the university.

When asked if he was “open” to returning to the Cabinet, he said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel that “I am open to it.”

But he was quick to say that it was “presumptuous” for now.

“It depends on what it is, of course,” he said when asked if he would accept a government post from the President.

“But that’s being presumptuous. I don’t even want to go there,” he said.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, he said no Cabinet post has been offered to him yet.

“None,” he said.

“Well, I think the decision is wholly up to him. I think now that I have withdrawn and he possibly knows I have withdrawn, it’s really is prerogative. And for me I am the type of person who will just take it day by day now,” he said in his television interview.

He said he would “always serve this nation in whatever capacity.”

READ: Harry Roque withdraws Senate bid

Roque on Friday withdrew his candidacy for senator, citing his medical condition. /cbb